Hacking a Facebook account is one of the biggest fears of users. However, there is a two-factor authentication system to manually activate in the settings to better protect it.
The security of your Facebook account is essential in order to enjoy the social network with peace of mind. It is very easy to have your credentials stolen by a relative or an unscrupulous hacker. A moment of inattention, and here you are with unwanted publications on your wall – in the best case scenario – or even in the total inability to access your account, the identifiers having been modified. And impossible to reset your password, since the recovery email arrives on another mailbox than yours! To avoid this kind of inconvenience, Facebook has implemented a two-factor authentication system, a very simple and effective security feature that is added to your usual password. To access it, you will need to provide a second code, which you will receive by SMS or via an application, or press a security key from a compatible device. On top of that, you’ll receive an alert whenever someone tries to log in from a browser or mobile device that the platform doesn’t recognize. However, this function must be activated manually because the platform does not activate it automatically.
Three two-factor authentication options are available to you: via a code sent by text message, by an authenticator application or by a security key. The latter is a small device used to protect a program. Once connected to the device, it allows specific software to run or decrypt its contents. Access is therefore limited to only users with the appropriate key. We will not deal with this last option for two-factor authentication on Facebook because it is very little used – and represents a certain financial investment.
How to enable two-factor authentication on Facebook?
Two-factor authentication on Facebook is not automatic. To be able to take advantage of it, you have to activate it manually in the settings. The method is exactly the same whether through the web browser or the mobile app. Here are the steps to follow.
► Open your web browser and connect to Facebook.
► On the home page, in the top bar, click on your profile, represented by a small bubble on the far right, to open a drop-down menu.
► In the drop-down menu, click on Settings and privacy.
► Another menu appears. Click on Settings. A new page opens.
► In the menu on the left, select Security and connection.
► Scroll down the page until you reach the section Two-factor authentication. In front of Use two-factor authenticationClick on the button Edit.
► You arrive on another page. All you have to do is click on the two-factor authentication mode that suits you.
How to perform SMS authentication on Facebook?
The first mode of two-factor authentication is text message (SMS) authentication. With this method, you will receive a six-digit security code via text message whenever someone tries to log into your Facebook account from an unrecognized mobile device or browser.
► After carrying out the procedure described above, click on Use text messages (SMS).
► A new window appears superimposed entitled Add a phone number. Enter your country code in the drop-down menu (France +33), then enter your mobile number. Click the blue button Continue.
► The window changes. This is when you receive an SMS on your smartphone (whose number you entered earlier) with a 6-digit code. Enter this code in the window on your web browser and press the blue button Continue. If you have not received the code, click on resend the code to receive a new SMS.
► A new window certifying the activation of two-factor authentication by text message opens. Click the blue button To end to activate the function. And There you go !
How do I authenticate via an authenticator app on Facebook?
The second mode of two-factor authentication is authentication via an authenticator app. With this method you use on your smartphone an authentication application such as Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile, which will generate verification codes to allow the platform to verify your identity when you log in from a new device for the first time. In this example, we will use Google Authenticator.
► After performing the procedure described above (in the section “How to activate two-factor authentication on Facebook?”), click on the blue button Use an authenticator app.
► A window appears superimposed entitled Configuration via a third-party authentication systemwith a QR Code and a code.
► At the same time, download the app to your smartphone from the Play Store or the Apple Store.
Download Google Authenticator for Android
Download Google Authenticator for iOS
► On your mobile, open the Google Authenticator app, tap Scan a QR code and put your camera in front of the QR Code displayed on your computer screen. Click on Continue in your browser.
► The second solution is to press Enter configuration key on your mobile (the long string of letters and numbers).
► In both cases, a new window appears. Then go back to the authentication application, which will show you a temporary code. Enter it on the Facebook page and click the blue button Continue. Lo and behold, this two-factor authentication method is enabled!
